Join Pioneer Educational Trust as a Trustee and apply your leadership experience to an organisation with clear values and exciting potential.
Who we are
Pioneer Educational Trust is a nationally recognised, forward-thinking multi-academy trust currently operating four schools across Berkshire: Desborough College, Foxborough Primary School, Trevelyan Middle School and Upton Court Grammar School.
Our mission is rooted in our core commitment to take education further.
We believe in a liberating education that equips children and young people not only with academic excellence but with the character, confidence and values they need to contribute meaningfully to an interconnected world.
Our culture is shaped by ethical leadership, inclusion and high expectations and we are proud of the strong relationships that exist across our schools.
Staff well‑being and professional growth are central to our approach, reflected in our Pioneer Promises and our commitment to flexible working, high‑quality development and supportive leadership.
As we look to the future, we are preparing for a new strategic phase focused on strengthening governance, ensuring financial resilience and deepening our role within the communities we serve.
We are committed to responsible growth, intelligent investment and continuous improvement and we believe that exceptional governance is essential to sustaining the high performance and strong values that define Pioneer.
About the role
We are looking to further strengthen the strategic capacity of the Board and ensure that our governance continues to evolve in line with the Trust’s ambitions and the wider changes shaping the education sector.
Our Board is rich in expertise. We are seeking someone who can complement our already strong Board with strong business acumen, a clear understanding of organisational performance and the ability to support the executive team in developing a more mature and scalable central infrastructure.
As a Trustee, you will work closely with the Chair, CEO and fellow Board members to shape long‑term strategy, steward resources responsibly and ensure that Pioneer continues to deliver excellent outcomes for pupils. Your insight will help us refine our approach to finance, estates, IT and central services, and support the Trust in exploring opportunities for sustainable growth and strategic partnerships.
This is a governance role with real influence, offering the chance to contribute meaningfully to a trust that values collaboration, innovation and ethical leadership.
Who we are looking for
Pioneer Educational Trust is seeking a new Trustee who can bring commercial, financial or organisational leadership expertise to our Board at a pivotal moment in our development.
You may have held senior roles in business, professional services, finance, operations or general management, and you will be comfortable making complex decisions, leading change and translating vision into practical delivery.
We are particularly interested in individuals who understand how to build scalable systems, strengthen central functions and support organisations through periods of growth or transformation. You do not need experience in education; what matters is your ability to offer thoughtful challenge, ask the right questions and support our executive leaders with confidence and integrity.
As the Trust moves into a new strategic phase, we are looking for someone who can help us balance ambition with responsibility, ensuring that our resources, structures and services evolve in ways that strengthen our schools and benefit our communities.
If you are collaborative, values‑driven and motivated by the opportunity to contribute your expertise to a trust committed to equality, inclusion and excellence, we would be delighted to hear from you.
Time commitment
As a Trustee, you will attend six board meetings per academic year and are invited to join one of our committees.
To view the role description and person specification, please go to the ‘How to Apply’ tab above, fill in your details and download the candidate pack.
For further information or to arrange a confidential discussion, please contact our advising consultant at Peridot Partners:
Eddie Caviezel Cox | eddiec@peridotpartners.co.uk | 07951 920768
About Pioneer Educational Trust
At Pioneer Educational Trust, we pride ourselves on nurturing the heritage, culture and ethos already present in each of our schools. Our approach is rooted in blending the unique strengths of each setting to create a cohesive, dynamic learning culture that celebrates and shares the very best in all of us. We embrace the fluidity and constant evolution of education and actively contribute to national and regional educational agendas. Through this, we work hard to keep our staff connected, engaged and empowered across the Trust.
Our core mission is clear: to provide high-quality, inclusive, diverse, and effective education to over 2,000 pupils spanning primary to sixth form. Every member of our staff, whether based in schools or centrally, places student welfare and education at the heart of everything we do.
We understand the profound responsibility we carry in shaping the future, one student, one lesson and one day at a time. Watching our pupils’ journeys unfold with pride and purpose inspires us daily.
Education is about far more than what happens in the classroom. Our determination to pioneer excellence supports all facets of school life. Our central team is embedded across the schools, offering tailored support for financial management, pastoral care, cultural development and professional growth.
We recognise that staff well-being directly impacts educational quality, so we strive to create a fulfilling and supportive workplace. When our colleagues thrive, they provide the outstanding experiences our children deserve.
We are committed to fostering a pioneering legacy that nurtures curiosity, innovation and excellence — not only in our students but in every member of our community.
Our extensive professional development offerings include the bespoke Pioneering Leadership Programme, accredited courses, our ‘Thrive’ programme for beginning teachers, research-driven initiatives, coaching training and inspiring Pioneer Presents events featuring keynote speakers across diverse topics.
Our current family of schools: Desborough College, Upton Court Grammar School, Trevelyan Middle School and Foxborough Primary School, each hold their unique identities and strengths. We are proud that every school has been rated at least ‘Good’ by Ofsted. Our students consistently achieve top results across SATs, GCSEs and A-Levels, preparing them to excel in life beyond school.
Pioneer is outward-facing and collaborative. We actively engage with local school communities, sharing best practices and leading borough-wide initiatives that extend far beyond our Trust.
We welcome new partnerships and networks that enrich our team and help us remain pioneers in education.
Thank you for your interest in this role. Please download the Role Description, Person Specification and application form.
To formally apply, please submit the above application forms and a supporting statement (ideally maximum 2 sides of A4 each) that clearly outlines your suitability for the role against the criteria provided in the person specification, including your interest and motivation in applying for this position.
Please include your home address, contact email and mobile.
Please ensure that your application is emailed to response@peridotpartners.co.uk, inserting “Application: Pioneer Educational Trust — Trustee” into the subject field. You will receive an acknowledgement of receipt within 2-3 days. If you do not receive an acknowledgement, please contact our admin team.
For further information about the role or to arrange a confidential discussion, please contact our advising consultant at Peridot Partners:
Eddie Caviezel Cox | eddiec@peridotpartners.co.uk | 07951 920768
As a sector-leading executive search consultancy, we know the importance of creating recruitment processes that are fair, inclusive and free from bias. We are committed to promoting equality and diversity and developing a process that values differences.
If you require any job information in an alternative format (e.g. large print), please contact the lead consultant. Please also let us know if you would like to submit your application in an alternative format.
Applicants with disabilities are welcome to contact us in confidence at any stage of the recruitment process to discuss any reasonable adjustments or support that may be required to ensure fair and equal participation.
Recruitment selection processes are based on evidence of competence stated in the person specification and in relation to our values.
Timetable
Closing date: 9 a.m. Friday 28th August 2026
We are in the process of confirming interview dates. Once confirmed, we will update the site and contact those who have applied.
Equal Opportunities Monitoring
Peridot and Pioneer Educational Trust are committed to promoting equality and diversity. To help us raise awareness and support a culture that is diverse and recognises and develops the potential of all, we need to appreciate the profile of candidates who apply for positions. We will send you an equality monitoring survey at the point of receiving your application and at the time of placement. This ensures that our processes remain inclusive and equitable throughout, and provides us with important data to help us showcase our impact.
The information will be treated confidentially and anonymously and will help us to support our commitment to fair recruitment practice. All information provided will be held in the strictest confidence and will not be shared with anyone, in line with the Data Protection Act 2018 launched on 25 May 2018.
The information provided does not form part of the decision-making process and will not affect your application. Learn more about why we collect this data here.
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